Kodagu Planter’s Estate Vandalised by Miscreants; Over 2,000 Coffee Plants Cut Down

The damaged estate belongs to Kuppanamada Gautham, who had nurtured the four-acre plantation over several years. Photo Courtesy: SOM

Ponnampet: A major act of vandalism was reported from a coffee plantation at Kalakooru village near Birunani in Ponnampet taluk of Kodagu district, where unidentified persons allegedly destroyed more than 2,000 coffee plants and 250 pepper vines, causing losses estimated to be worth several lakhs of rupees.

The damaged estate belongs to Kuppanamada Gautham, who had nurtured the four-acre plantation over several years. The estate comprised seven-year-old coffee plants and pepper vines and was fitted with CCTV cameras at multiple locations for security, according to a report in Star of Mysore.

According to report, the incident occurred when Gautham and his family had travelled to Mysuru to attend a wedding function. Suspected miscreants are believed to have entered the plantation during their absence and carried out large-scale destruction across the estate.

Apart from damaging the crops, the accused allegedly removed and disconnected the CCTV cameras installed on the property in an apparent attempt to eliminate evidence and avoid identification.

The destruction was said to be severe, with the coffee plants and pepper vines cut close to the ground, making it impossible for them to regenerate. The incident has left the plantation owner facing substantial financial losses and the challenge of rebuilding the estate from the beginning.

Residents of the area described the incident as a calculated and organised act. Villagers said the scale of destruction suggested the involvement of at least eight to ten persons.

The incident has triggered anger among local residents and members of the farming community, who condemned the attack on the plantation and urged the authorities to identify and arrest those responsible at the earliest.

Hudikeri Revenue Inspector Santhosh visited the plantation and conducted an inspection of the damaged area. Srimangala Police Station Inspector A.S. Ravindra and his team also visited the spot as part of the investigation.

Police later pressed a dog squad into service to collect clues and trace the suspects involved in the incident. Further investigation is under way.

If you appreciate our work, please consider supporting us with a donation. You may contribute via Google Pay, PhonePe or Paytm at: 9980855901

To advertise on The Kodagu Express website, kindly call us at 9108795369 or mail us at thekodaguexpress@gmail.com 

Join The Kodagu Express WhatsApp Group: CLICK HERE 

Follow us on Instagram and X(Twitter)